Chalukyas of Vemulavada

History

The 966 CE Parabhani copper-plate inscription of Arikesari III claims that the dynasty descended from the Chalukyas of solar dynasty. Not much is known about the early rulers of the dynasty. The Kollapur copper-plate inscription attributes several military victories to Vinayaditya Yuddhamalla (not to be confused with the Badami Chalukya king Vinayaditya). These victories amount to the subjugation of almost the entire Indian subcontinent, and therefore, appear to be gross exaggerations. It is possible that Vinayaditya was a feudatory of a powerful king, and participated in this king's military campaigns. This king could have been the Rashtrakuta ruler Dantidurga, who was a contemporary of Vinayaditya.

Vinayaditya's successor Arikesari I is said to have conquered Vengi and Trikalinga. His descendant Baddega was a distinguished general, and defeated the Vengi Chalukya king Bhima I. According to the Vemulavada court poets, Baddega's grandson Narasimha II subjugated the Latas, the seven Malavas, and the Gurjara king Mahipala. He achieved these victories in the service of his Rashtrakuta overlord Indra III.

Arikesari II, the son of Narasimha II, married two Rashtrakuta princesses, including Lokambika and Revakanirmadi (the daughter of Indra III). His mother Jakavve was probably a sister of Indra III. Several military successes are attributed to him. The noted Kannada poet Pampa was a court poet of Arikesari II. His Vikramarjuna Vijaya is an important source of the dynasty's history.

Arikesari II was succeeded by his son Vagaraja, who probably died without a heir. The throne then passed on to Vagaraja's younger half-brother Bhadradeva. Subsequently, the Vemulavada Chalukya dynasty was overthrown by the Chalukyas of Kalyani.

Rulers

Following is a list of the Vemulavada Chalukya rulers, with estimated periods of their reign: